Nutrition is the foundation of good production in small ruminants like sheep and goats. Nutrient requirements depend on several factors including species, size, age, stage of production, level of production like number of fetuses, and climate. Younger and smaller animals require a more nutrient dense diet compared to mature larger animals. Animals in late gestation and lactation have higher energy and mineral needs. Higher producing animals have greater nutritional demands. Proper nutrition is key to optimal health, growth and productivity of small ruminants.

1. SMALL RUMINANT NUTRITION SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centersschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com Small Ruminant Program

2. Why is nutrition so important? Nutrition is the foundation of good production. Production levels vary by nutrition levels. Feed is the largest cost of production. Poor nutrition and nutritional imbalances can cause many health problems. Poorly-fed animals are more susceptible to diseases.

3. Nutrient requirements depend on … Species and genetics Size (weight) Age Stage and level of production Climate, environment, and activity. Body condition

4. Species and geneticsEnergy (TDN) requirements of 132-lb. mature females (twin bearing) Lbs. per day NRC 2007

5. Sheep have lower maintenance requirements than goats. Dairy goats have higher maintenance requirements than meat and fiber goats. Females with a higher genetic potential for milk production have higher nutritional requirements. What you need to know:

6. Size (weight)Nutrient requirements of ewes in late gestation (twin fetuses) Lbs. per day 52% 66% 66% 10% 10% 8.5% NRC, 2007

7. Bigger sheep have lower maintenance requirements than smaller sheep. Bigger sheep need to eat more and consume larger quantities of nutrients. However, smaller sheep need to consume a more nutrient-dense diet. What you need to know:

8. Size (weight)Nutrient requirements of non-dairy does in late gestation (twin fetuses) Lbs. per day 66% 66% 80% 13% 13% 15% NRC, 2007, Errata

9. Bigger goats need to eat more. More lbs. of dry matter More lbs. of energy More lbs. of protein More grams of Ca and P Smaller goats need a more nutrient-dense diet. Higher % of energy Higher % of protein Higher % of Ca and P What you need to know:

10. Age Nutrient requirements of mature ewes vs. ewe lambs during late gestation Lbs. per day -- 79% -- ~10% 66% NRC, 2007

11. AgeMineral requirements of mature ewes vs. ewe lambs during late pregnancy Grams per day NRC, 2007

12. Mature females are usually bigger and need to eat more. More lbs. of dry matter More lbs. of energy More lbs. of protein More grams of Ca and P However, young females need a more nutrient-dense diet. Higher % of energy Higher % of Ca and P But NOT protein! What you need to know:

13. Stage of productionNutrient requirements of a 176-lb. mature ewe (twin bearing) 66% Lbs. per day 66% 53% 53% 10% 15% 7% 8% NRC 2007

14. Stage of productionMineral requirements of a 176-lb. ewe (twins) Grams per day NRC, 2007

15. What you need to know: Energy requirements during late gestation are more than 50 percent higher than for maintenance. Ewes require a more nutrient-dense diet during late gestation and lactation. Protein requirements don’t increase until lactation. Calcium requirements are highest during late gestation. Phosphorus requirements are highest during lactation.

16. Stage of productionNutrient requirements of a 132-lb. non-dairy doe (twins) Lbs. per day ? ? NRC 2007, Errata

17. Stage of productionMineral requirements of a 132-lb. doe (twins) Grams per day NRC, 2007

18. Stage of productionNutrient requirements of a 154-lb. dairy doe (twin bearing) Lbs. per day NRC 2007 Errata

19. What you need to know: Energy requirements during late gestation are more than 50 percent higher than for maintenance. Calcium and Phosphorus requirements are highest during lactation. Females with a higher genetic potential for milk production have much higher nutritional requirements during lactation.

20. Level of production (# fetuses)Nutrient requirements of 154-lb. ewe in late gestation Lbs. per day 66% 66% 53% 8.3% 10% 10% NRC, 2007

21. Level of production (# fetuses)Nutrient requirements of 176-lb. ewe in late gestation Grams per day NRC, 2007

22. What you need to know: Ewes carrying twins and triplets need to eat more. Dry matter Energy (TDN) Protein (CP) Calcium and phosphorus Ewes carrying twins and triplets need a more nutrient-dense diet. A ewe carrying triplets needs 43% more energy than a ewe carrying a single fetus.

23. What about growing lambs and kids? Their nutritional requirements are affected by many of the same factors. Age Species Size Genetic type and potential Level of performance Environment, activity

24. Growth - effect of size (weight)Dairy kids (doelings and wethers) gaining 0.22 lbs/d (100 g/d) Lbs. per day NRC, 2007

25. What you need to know: Assuming the same rate of gain (0.22 lbs/day): Smaller kids (weight) need to consume a more nutrient-dense diet, both energy and protein. Bigger kids need to consume more quantity of nutrients, but the diet does not need to be as high quality (% TDN, CP).

26. Growth - effect of genetic type66-lb. bucks gaining 0.44 lbs/d (200 g/day) Lbs. per day

27. What you need to know: Assuming the same rate of gain (0.44 lbs/day). Dairy goat bucks don’t need to eat as much as Boer bucks, but their diet needs to be more energy-dense. Boer bucks need to eat the most, but their diet doesn’t need to be as energy-dense. Boer bucks have the highest requirements for protein: lbs. and %. Indigenous (local) breed goats have lower requirements for protein than improved breeds.

28. Growth - effect of sex55 lb. Boer kids gaining 0.33 lbs/day Lbs. per day

29. What you need to know: Assuming the same rate of gain (0.44 lbs/day). Bucks need to eat more dry matter and energy. Bucks and does require the same amount of protein. But since does eat less, they require a higher percentage of protein in their diet. Realistically, the differences will be larger as bucks will gain faster and you don’t want to feed does to gain as fast.

30. Growth – rate-of-gain44-lb Boer bucks Lbs. per day NRC, 2007

31. What you need to know: Assuming the same genetic potential for growth: The more you feed a goat the more it will gain. Better performance requires both more feed and better quality feed. Higher % TDN Higher % CP The bigger question is: is better performance economical?

32. Thank you for your attention. Are there any questions? Susan Schoeniansschoen@umd.edusheepandgoat.com Small Ruminant Program